Dickov’s trip down memory lane

Date published: 04 December 2014


PAUL Dickov’s last home game in charge of Athletic saw him mastermind the FA Cup victory over Liverpool.

It was quite some last hurrah, powered by two career-making goals from Matt Smith, which left the wider media scratching their heads as to why the man who saw off the Premier League giants would so soon be dispensed with.

But league form at the time wasn’t nearly as glamorous as that amazing slaying of the Premier League behemoths from Merseyside.

Heading into a crucial game at Walsall, three points looked likely when new man Lee Barnard scored the opener. Athletic ended up losing 3-1 — and frustrated chairman Simon Corney decide it was the last straw.

Despite leaving Athletic, the Scot retained great affection for the club that gave him his first shot at management.

Dickov admits he thought about walking out after three of his backroom staff were dispensed with on New Year’s Eve 2013. But there was no chance of him downing tools until the choice was taken away from him.

As with Athletic, little has gone smoothly for Dickov since then. Though back in management relatively quickly with Doncaster three months later, he experienced the most agonising of relegations when Rovers dropped from the Championship last season.

The club found itself mired in farce as Dickov tried to gel a new-look squad. One Direction star Louis Tomlinson’s attempt at co-ownership collapsed and on the field, matters were similarly muddled.

Despite proven players, Dickov’s team has struggled for consistency.

There are signs, though, that a run of form may finally be coming together. The last seven fixtures have brought only one defeat, with the 3-1 defeat of Rochdale at Spotland particularly impressive.

Rovers have lost only one of their last eight games on the road.